Bathroom Redo

Last spring I decided to update the almost 18 year old bathroom that the girls used.  It had really dated blue and peach paisley wallpaper with worn oak cabinets. You can see from the picture-Kaitlin don' kill me; it is the only before picture I could find. We finally completed the project this summer because of some problems I had with wallpaper removal and cabinet painting.

I am really pleased with the results. Of course, I couldn't do this alone. Bill was a huge help! He primed and painted the walls and trim, replaced the shower curtain and rod, put up new towel bars, shelves, and switch plates. He also removed the big wall mirror without even breaking it. I painted the cabinets,replaced hardware, put up some retro wall art, hung new mirrors, and replaced the light fixture. I can't believe it's the same room!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas 2009

Christmas is a time filled with tradition for many families. A few traditions in the Christian house are-having a live tree-I prefer a Frazier Fir, nightly Advent Jesse Tree devotions, Zoo Lights,and reading the Cajun Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve. Having the grandboys nearby is a blessing I hope not to ever take for granted. This year they came over just in time to help decorate the Christmas tree.

 

Greyson and Daniel came into town for a few days and while they were hear we enjoyed some good food and also visited the Memphis Zoo Lights.

Bill had a great idea to build a gingerbread house with the grandboys. He bought the kit and Dani, Aunt Mere and Aunt Kait helped construct it. Chapman and Luke seemed to really enjoy it and stayed with it until it was finished. Luke especially liked the part where he got to eat the candy.

The Christans and the Cavers celebrated together on Christmas Eve. Chapman and Luke had fun playing with their toys. Chapman especially enjoyed hearing Pops read the Cajun Night Before Christmas.

 

 

 

Christmas day was quiet around our house with the Caver's gone. We opened presents and then went over to the Kaplowitz house for a nice Christmas dinner.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. I have many memories of my family in Arkansas spending time together and going to the Sasser deer camp because it was deer season. We usually had a traditional meal on Thursday and then would spend time at the camp. After Bill and I were married, we spent time with both families, traveling between Crossett and Lafayette and then going back home. When we lived in Georgia, we would meet the Christians at Gulf Shores during the Thanksgiving Break. After moving to Tennessee, we would go to Arkansas many times, spending time with the Sassers and going to the deer camp-riding four wheelers and letting the girls learn how to shoot. We even went to a couple of LSU/Arkansas games. Now we stay in Memphis for Thanksgiving. This year we had the meal at our house with the help of Bill's mom and his sister Karen and their gift of cooking. Danielle, Meredith, and Kaitlin helped cook too. We had a wonderful time with family and friends!

 

Puddin

Puddin is our Boston Terrier that we have had since April of 1996. She was diagnosed with cancer a year or so ago and was doing well until November.  Our vet gave her a few weeks to live and then we had to make a decision. Greyson built her coffin so when the time came we were prepared. It was difficult, but we know we did the right thing. Puddin lived a long life and was strong until the end. She was surrounded by those who loved her and will be in our hearts forever.

 

 

 

 

Fall 2009

Events are a little out of order, but I'm trying to play catch up you know. This past fall we did something with Chapman and Luke that we always did with the girls before Halloween-Pumpkin Carving. One Sunday night, Bill and I met up with our small group at Tom's farm in Fayette County. We went on a hayride to the pumpkin patch and came back with some pumpkins.

Later in the week Dani and the boys came over. The boys love to play in the backyard. The fall is great for being outside because of the cooler weather.

 

We also carved pumpkins with Pops. Chapman and Luke did not really get into digging out the pumpkin insides, but they liked the carving and especially turning out the lights and seeing the candle glow of the pumpkins. Their smiles prove it!

A House Divided

Anyone who knows us is not surprised that Bill is a devoted LSU Tiger fan and I am a huge Arkansas Razorback fan. Needless to say, every year the Boot Bowl game after Thanksgiving is a day of rivalry for us. We have been to the game at War Memorial Stadium a couple of times. One game that stands out in my mind is when Matt Jones threw a Hail Mary pass at the end of the 2002 game and Arkansas won after being behind the entire game. Another notable win for Arkansas was the 2007 game when LSU won the National Championship. We spent Thanksgiving in Starkville with Gabe and Danielle and watched the game with them. The  drive home after the LSU loss was not that exciting-kinda quiet. This year LSU won, breaking the hog winning streak. There's always next year for the hogs and I will be watching the game wearing my new Razorback Snuggie! Greyson, Meredith's boyfriend who is an Ole Miss fan, graciously bought it for me for Christmas. Bill will of course be wearing his purple and gold.

 

Merry Christmas to all 'til I saw you some mo!

One of our family traditions at Christmas is to read The Cajun Night before Christmas by Trosclair. Bill gave me this book for Christmas in 1977 after we were engaged that fall.

So we have read this story every year since our first Christmas together. I never tire of hearing him read with his Cajun/Southern accent. It has been a tradition that is now being enjoyed by our grandchildren. After dinner on Christmas Eve, the family sits around the fireplace and listens to the story of St. Nicklus and his eight alligator a pullin' de skiff. Luke really didn't get into it that much, but Chapman was mesmerized! He sat with his Pops and listened to the whole story!

 

LSU vs MSU

Bill managed to get tickets for the LSU game at State. Knowing the weather would be bad, Bill was prepared. He bought ponchos for us (he couldn't find purple or gold, so he settled for Memphis blue) and we wore shoes that we could slosh around in. It was raining on us before we even got out of the car. We decided to try to get better tickets when we got there. So we trudged from our parking space miles away to find some people willing to sell at a reasonable price. We were mobbed by a group of men trying to sell their tickets. I was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable and Bill was trying to calm everyone down. The ticket sellers started arguing with each other and almost got into a fight. We finally settled up and got tickets on the 50 yard line 13 rows up. They were great seats! The only bad part about it was that we were sitting among all those bulldog fans ringing their cowbells. It was an exciting game and LSU pulled it out to win 30 to 26!

GMF 5K

Mere, Bill, Danielle, and I ran a 5 K in November to raise money for Global Missions Fellowship. Bill and Mere are training to run the Mississippi Blues half marathon in Jackson, MS January 9th.